Category: General

Addis Ababa: Ethiopian Airlines and Air France Industries-KLM Engineering and Maintenance (AFI-KLM E andM) signed an agreement for component support for Ethiopian Boeing 777 fleet today.

The agreement was signed by Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew and AFI-KLM E andM Senior Commercial Vice President Pierre Teboul.

CEO Mesfin said on the occasion it is a component support agreement for Ethiopian and Boeing, and it is ten-year contract covering over 500 components for which Ethiopian Airlines does not have internal repair capability.

Thanking the company for the service it has been providing, he added that the agreement was reached based on ‘our good experience of the service that we have been getting in the past.’

AFI-KLM E andM Senior Commercial Vice President Pierre Teboul said on his part that his company is committed to working and cooperating with Ethiopian Airlines.

“Ethiopian Airlines and AFI-KLM E andM are not new to work together. We already did it in the past.”

And the next step would be to t
hink about additional cooperation, he added.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: Ethiopian Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Services, the strategic business unit of Ethiopian Airlines, is ready to cooperate with fellow African Airlines and manufacturers, Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew said.

African Aviation MRO and Aviation Training Conference and Exhibition is underway in Addis Ababa under the theme of ‘Strengthening Africa’s MRO and Training capacity for the future.’

MRO Africa and Aviation Training Conference and Exhibition brings African Airlines, MRO Service providers, original equipment manufacturers, regulatory bodies and other stakeholders together every year to discuss common issues related to MRO services.

Speaking at occasion, Ethiopian Airlines CEO, Mesfin Tasew said this event would be important for African airlines to meet with manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers in one place, to address their issues and develop relationships.

It provides the opportunity to network, exchange ideas, share experiences, learn about industry trends, and en
gage in dialogues about future directions.

Thus, the CEO noted that recognizing the necessity of effective MRO services for the smooth operation and success of an airline, Ethiopian Airlines operates a modern MRO facility at its hub in Addis Ababa, established in 1957, and developed over the years.

In addition to supporting Ethiopian Airlines, this facility is providing different MRO services to other airlines both in Africa and the Middle East, he elaborated.

The services include airframe, engine and component maintenance, engineering and material services.

‘We are investing a lot of money to further expand our MRO facilities and capabilities to meet the needs of our growing operation and cater for the needs of other airlines in the region.’

Moreover, Mesfin said at this time, we are building two more hangars, a modern component maintenance complex, and a state-of-the-art aircraft parts warehouse here at our base, which are all expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

‘We understand every airline c
annot do this since it needs economies of scale. However, there is a big opportunity for cooperation among African Airlines, manufacturers, suppliers and other stakeholders to avail the service in Africa at reasonable costs,’ he underlined.

‘Let us open up our minds and work towards more cooperation both at operational and strategic levels.’

He reaffirmed that Ethiopian MRO Services, the strategic business unit of Ethiopian Airlines Group, is ready to cooperate with fellow African Airlines and manufacturers in this respect.

State Minister of Transport and Logistics, Denge Boru said Ethiopia is committed to fostering the growth and development of the aviation industry, not only in Ethiopia, but across the African continent.

‘We recognize the vital role that maintenance and overhaul play in ensuring the safe, reliability and protection of air travel, as we are dedicated to supporting initiatives that address these critical conditions.’

He stressed that as key aspects of aviation safety, and excellent the M
RO division requires different channels and innovations.

The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) Secretary General, Abdérahmane Berthé said on his part Africa needs safe, secure efficient and economically viable air transport to support integrated economic development.

The number of aircraft operated on the African continent in the next 10 years is estimated to reach 1,429 units as the result of a growth rate of 2.3 percent per year from 2024-34.

To operate more aircrafts, it will be critical to facilitate the access to aircraft financing for airlines and to develop MRO capacities across the continent, he elaborated.

Finally, he called African Airlines, MROs, and African Aviation Training Organizations to cooperate better to create the needed environment for sustainable the future growth of African Air Transport market.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: The Prime Minister of Uganda, Robinah Nabbanja, said that her country is keen to work in collaboration with Ethiopia in using industrialization experience accumulated in developing and managing industrial parks.

According to the Industrial Parks Development Corporation, the prime minister made the remark following her visit to Bole Lemi Industrial Park today.

‘We will work in cooperation using Ethiopia’s industrialization experience,’ Nabbanja is quoted as saying.

The Ugandan PM also expressed her excitement with the overall activity that she observed at the industrial park, indicating that there will be more communication to carry out further joint activities in the sector.

Industrial Parks Development Corporation CEO Aklilu Tadesse briefed Prime Minister Nabbanja about the corporation and the general activities of Bole Lemi Industrial Park.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: The Kalazar treatment drug has reached an exciting milestone as it enters the crucial phase two clinical trials in Ethiopia.

This development brings renewed hope for the effective and patient-friendly treatment of Kalazar, also known as visceral leishmaniasis, a disease that poses a significant health challenge in Eastern Africa.

Director of the Kalazar Disease Research and Treatment Center at the University of Gondar, Dr. Samuel Teshome highlighted the significance of this progress and the opportunity it presents for developing a safe and efficient cure for Kalazar in Ethiopia for new cases of the disease has been increasing in the country.

According to him, Kalazar is a parasitic disease that ranks as the second deadliest globally, following malaria. It is characterized by symptoms such as persistent fever, weight loss, and enlargement of the spleen and liver. Without proper treatment, the disease can be fatal, he said.

It is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected sandflies and
is endemic in 80 countries, particularly in Eastern Africa, South Asia, and Latin America.

Dr. Samuel said Eastern Africa currently bears the highest burden of Kalazar cases. Alarmingly, children under the age of 15 accounts for half of the 50,000 to 90,000 new cases reported each year.

The research has been carried out in collaboration with researchers and laboratory institutions of various countries, he pointed out.

The current treatment for Kalazar in Ethiopia involves a 17-day regimen of painful daily injections administered at hospitals, Dr. Samuel said.

However, the newly developed drug, LXE408, offers a promising alternative. According to Dr. Samuel, LXE408 is administered orally in the form of pills, which is expected to provide improved efficacy and safety compared to the existing treatment options. This patient-friendly approach has the potential to revolutionize the way Kalazar is treated, offering a more convenient and accessible solution.

The drug is expected to have high level of curability
with very little side effects which will be available easily in health centers in villages.

Research and Treatment Center (LRTC), co-Principal Investigator of the clinical trial at the Leishmaniasis at the University of Gondar Dr. Eleni Ayele, emphasized the significance of conducting the phase two clinical trial in an endemic country like Ethiopia.

She highlighted the limitations of the current treatment options, which can be potentially toxic, require injections and cold-chain supplies, and often necessitate patients to travel long distances and stay in hospitals for extended periods.

The goal of the research is to develop an oral treatment that is both efficacious and less toxic, allowing patients to receive care at primary healthcare facilities near their homes, she said.

This approach could significantly reduce morbidity and transmission rates associated with Kalazar, bringing the treatment closer to the affected communities, the researcher added.

The Director of the Leishmaniasis program at the Dru
gs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Dr. Fabiana Alves also emphasized that the clinical trial for LXE408 represents a significant step towards delivering better, patient-friendly, and effective medicines that are accessible to all those in need.

The clinical trial in Ethiopia is financially supported by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCPT) as part of the VL-INNO project, which involves a diverse range of partners.

This collaboration ensures that the research is well-resourced and supported by various stakeholders, further enhancing its potential impact.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

WINDHOEK: Chief Inspector Katrina Naukushu of the Windhoek City Police on Tuesday raised concern over the dangerous weapons found in the possessions of members of the public, during last week’s police patrol.

Naukushu in an interview with Nampa on Tuesday said the weapons confiscated include knives, pocket knives, pangas, and scissors .

‘Despite our efforts to disarm the community, people continue to buy these weapons. People should refrain from going to clubs and parties with weapons as they cause more harm than good. If you carry weapons for protection rather leave them at home and turn to the police in incidents where you are faced with danger.’

According to Ordinance 12 of 1956, Section 4 (3a-n) as amended, knives, including pocket knives, or any blade (part of a knife not constituting a shaft or handle) which exceeds three and a half inches (about 8,9 cm) and jumpers, crowbars or hammers exceeding three pounds (about 1,4kg) in weight are not allowed on a person.

Naukushu warned the public that should
they be found in possession of any dangerous weapons, they would be arrested and charged.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: The Namibia Diamond Trading Company (NDTC), has sorted, valued and marketed in excess of 2.3 million carats during the 2023 financial year despite the significant increase in carat intake from the Namibia De Beers (Namdeb) holdings.

This was announced by NDTC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Brent Eiseb during a media briefing on the successes and business performance of the company for the 2023 financial year, here on Tuesday.

Eiseb said despite the significant increase in carat intake from Namdeb holdings, driven largely by the commissioning of the Benguela Gem diamond recovery vessels in 2022, NDTC has increased its staff complement by 13 per cent particularly, in the diamond sorting and valuation mandate.

‘This concept has expanded its technological footprint with the successful adoption of a world-class sorting technology that enables efficient and effective methods of facilitating its sorting and valuation mandate,’ said Eiseb.

NDTC sold approximately 77 per cent of its total offering to NDTC
sightholders despite the challenging market conditions in 2023 and employs 91 Namibians to undertake the sorting, valuation and sale of Namibia’s rough diamond production.

‘I am pleased to inform you that 88 per cent of the total sales to NDTC sightholders during 2023 was fully processed in Namibia, while the industry was averaging 38 per cent a few years ago,’ Eiseb said.

Other notable achievements according to Eiseb include the N.dollars 100 million dividends paid to NDTC shareholders, N.dollars 84 million corporate taxes paid, N.dollars 197 million export levy paid, and N.dollars 1.05 million contribution to the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) Training Levy.

Despite these successes, NDTC still has to deal with the impact of the introduction of the G7 restrictive measures against Russian diamonds.

‘NDTC remains committed to facilitating beneficiation within the sector as beneficiation remains a fundamental component in our supply strategy and is a key objective of our business strategy,’ said Eiseb.

T
he event also presented NDTC’s first Diamantaire Enterprise development programme graduates.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

First Lady of Botswana, Neo Jane Masisi is joining a group of cyclists from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa in a cycle challenge on Tuesday.

A total 30 cyclists from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa are cycling from Rustenburg, South Africa, to Walvis Bay, Namibia and have spent their last night in Botswana on Monday. Masisi on Tuesday welcomed the cyclists in Tshootsha, Botswana, before they departed for Namibia.

The cycle challenge is part of a series of activities organised by the Trans Kalahari Corridor Secretariat, in commemoration of their 20th anniversary.

Masisi is partaking in the cycle event alongside Botswana’s prominent cyclist Albertina Milton until the Namibian border at Buitepos, where they will be received by Namibia’s Transport Minister, John Mutorwa.

The transport ministers of the three member states, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa – John Mutorwa, Eric Molale and Sindisiwe Chikunga are respectively signing a recommitment pledge to continue facilitating the seamless movement of g
oods and persons on the Trans Kalahari Corridor (TKC).

The countries also pledge to simplify and harmonise the requirements and controls that govern the movement of goods and persons to reduce transport costs and transit times.

‘The three member states pledge to continue to promote safety and security on the Trans Kalahari Corridor with the view to ensure the safety of users through regular joint law enforcement operations and border controls,’ the pledge reads.

It further stated that the countries will ensure that the road and infrastructure on the TKC are kept in a condition that responds to the needs of the corridor users.

‘The three member states pledge to promote spatial development initiatives on the TKC in order to enhance the livelihoods of persons living along the corridor,’ it adds.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency